“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world…” (1 John 2:15).
Demas, Diotrephes, and Demetrius each had a love, but each loved a different thing.
DEMAS: “Demas has forsaken me, and has departed for Thessalonica…” (2 Tim. 4:9-10 NKJ). Paul was facing trial in Rome. Realizing it was dangerous to be connected with one who was certain to be condemned by Nero, Demas forsook Paul.
His love of money and desire for self-preservation led Demas to abandon the hardships and dangers of the life of an apostle. In the next century, Chrysostom wrote of Demas: “He chose to live in luxury at home.” Demas loved the world.
DIOTREPHES: I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us (3 John 9 NKJ). Demas is gone, but Diotrephes is still in the Church. He is ambitious, aggressive, and self-assertive. He is a brother, but his primary motivation is not love of the brethren, but his ego-drive. Diotrephes loved the preeminence.
DEMETRIUS: Demetrius has a good testimony from all and from the truth itself… (3 John 12 NKJ). Some Bible scholars believe that this Demetrius was the silversmith in Acts 19:24 whose business was threatened by Paul’s preaching of the gospel. Upon his conversion, Demetrius had great credibility: 1) with the Christian community, 2) of the truth itself, and 3) with John. Demetrius loved the truth.
Three loves: the world, the preeminence, and the truth. Take your choice!
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers